Shohola man convicted of domestic abuse

A jury found Barry Schlegel, 60, of Shohola guilty of three counts of simple assault in relation to a domestic violence incident, Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin announced on Jan. 17.

The conviction came after a two-day trial in front a jury of six women and six men that ended on Jan. 15. The deliberation for the jury lasted for approximately 45 minutes.

The charges were the result of an incident on Aug. 4, 2018, in a pick-up truck Schlegel was driving. The victim was a passenger.

Schlegel repeatedly struck the woman during their travel between the Honesdale to Lehman Township, where the victim lived. The victim testified that Schlegel struck her in the face repeatedly, pulled her hair, and hit her on various other parts of her body. The assault left multiple bruises on the victim.

During the trial, the jury heard testimony from members of the Pennsylvania State Police and a hospital employee from the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, in addition to testimony from the victim. Schlegel also testified denying his crimes, saying he struck the victim in self-defense.

First Assistant District Attorney Bruce DeSarro prosecuted the case.

"The victim showed amazing courage in seeing through the court process ensuring justice for both her and the Defendant," DeSarro said.

He said he was very satisfied with the verdict and thanked the state police for their thorough investigation into the matter.

Upon DeSarro’s request, Pike County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Gregory Chelak revoked Schlegel’s bail at the conclusion of the trial. DeSarro noted Schlegel’s prior convictions for domestic violence against other women in making the request.

The Pike County Sheriff’s Office then transported Schlegel to the Pike County Correctional Facility, where he will remain pending his sentencing in March. With his convictions, Schlegel could face up to six years in state prison, Tonkin said.

"We are thankful the jury saw through this serial domestic abuser’s lies," said Tonkin. "We will continue to work hard combating domestic violence through our Domestic Abuse Response Team, which includes the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, and victims.”